Weeping for the Church

In recent days i have heard a number of believers whom I like and respect either evade or ignore or justify their unwillingness to allow the Word of God to be the ultimate determinant of how they live and what they do. It would be one thing if this were a temporary aberration. Sadly, it is not. Whether it is their subjective understanding (often emotionally driven)of their own or someone else's personal experience, or the product of sinful rebellion, or flowing with pagan American culture, or a hundred other things, the end result is the same. Some will justify their actions by saying the Holy Spirit told them to do this. Does the Holy Spirit, the divine author of God's Word (2Peter 1:20-21, 2 Timothy 3:16) contradict Himself?
I believe we are in danger of losing an entire generation who yearn for relationship but have little interest in truth. (John 17:17) The tragedy is that the God whom they yearn for relationship with has gone to great lengths to reveal Himself through the pages of the Bible. Why have so many of His people shed their blood so that we today could have His Word? Why have so many devoted so much labor to translating the Bible from the original languages into ones that the vast majority of the inhabitants of this planet can understand?
It is ironic and sad that so many American Christians avidly read, and staunchly defend a novel ( The Shack) who will not take the eternal Word of God seriously. If we are made in the image of God, ( Gen. 1:26) then He has feelings. I wonder how he feels about this.
Some may feel I am pointing fingers and wonder how well I do in obeying the Word. Obviously I am not perfect but I believe an important corner is turned when we acknowledge that those who wish to know God and have relationship with Him through Jesus Christ must read, study and obey the Word even if it is against our culture, or painful or costly to us personally. I should also say that in His mercy, God brought me to this point through utter devastation in my personal life. I hope that this isn't necessary for everyone although I'm beginning to wonder.
Father of truth and love, may You do whatever is necessary to bring your people into a place of loving obedience to You.

Jeff was a Friend

As a young man I was a classic loner and introvert. I didn't have very many friends nor did I make any particular effort to do so. At the time God had brought me into a ministry that sprouted during the "Jesus People" era, former hippies who came to Christ during the late 60's and early 70's. Jeff and I were very different. He was twelve years older, a lot smarter, and had once done all the entries for the letter P for a major dictionary. So he ended up on a reforestation crew with me as a foreman. We had a trio of young bucks that charged out to the front of the line in the early morning and then cruised the rest of the day. Jeff was at the end of the twelve man crew. One day I went up to him, explained the situation and said I wanted him to make these guys break a sweat. He agreed, because of our friendship, and yelled out, "I'm going to catch you guys!" Everybody laughed until he began to pass each man, one by one. No one wanted to have Jeff, the slowest guy, pass them. But he did. Finally he got right behind the leaders. There was no way that he was going to pass them- it would be like me trying to play in the NBA, but he made them work.
Later we were praying and fasting with a lot of people up in Washington. Jeff came by to tell me he was going to leave the ministry. I tried to come up with some good reasons why he should stay but couldn't. Finally I asked him not to leave because of our friendship. He came by a day or two later and said he had decided to remain for that reason.
Jefferson Duke departed this life March 25, age 70, into the arms of Jesus. "Yes, we are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord." (2 Cor. 5:8) "The Lord will...bring me safely into his heavenly kingdom. To Him be the glory forever and ever. Amen." (2 Timothy 4:18 ESV)

Fools Rush In

An old saying has it that "Fools rush in where angels fear to tread." Even though I've reflected on the theme of this post for quite awhile, I probably still fit into the fool category, but here goes. As I have sought God over the consequences and impact of the genuine believer's brotherhood with Christ, one thing that seems inescapable is the reality of race. Ironically the Bible has virtually nothing to say about this. It does not tell us how humanity came to have different races or why. This is the first clue to me that our racial heritage may not be as significant as we often make it. The major division that the Bible makes is between the people of God (Israel in the OT) and those not of God (everyone else.) In the NT the terms used are Jews and Gentiles, or Greeks. Jews are told not to fellowship with Gentiles, not even to eat with them. But the proclamation of the kingdom of God by Jesus begins to change this. A Roman centurion and a Syro-Phoenician woman, both non-Jews, receive the highest accolades about their faith from Jesus. (Cf. Matt. 8:10-11,15:28)
Then the Holy Spirit uses Paul to reveal that "he (Jesus) himself is our peace, who has made us both one (Jews & Gentiles) and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility... and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility.. He goes on to say that the mystery not made known in prior generations..."is that the Gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel." (See Ephesians 2:11 to 3:6 for the fuller context. Colossians 3:11 states "there is not Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, free (all divisions between mankind in the 1st Century Roman world)but Christ is all, and in all." So from a factual standpoint we are Asian, or African, or Caucasian or whatever but our true identity is that we are brothers in Christ.
When even Barnabas joined Peter and other Jewish Christians in not dining with their Gentile brothers Paul opposed Peter to his face (Galatians 2:11) when Paul saw
"that their conduct was not in line with truth of the gospel." (Gal. 2:14) That is how crucial it is to have unity and identify as brothers (or sisters) of Christ.

More Country Roads

Living out in a semi-rural area grants me the delight of walking along country roads in all seasons. It is a wonderful opportunity to commune with God, work out any stress, and get some exercise. About the only thing wrong with country roads is the occasional country dog. God created dogs to bark and made them territorial in nature, which I receive. Unlike the city or suburbs some dogs are unconfined, and their understanding of their "territory" extends beyond their owner's property to the road on which I am walking. Having a dog or dogs racing at you in an aggressive manner can provoke a confrontation as I do not accept the societal concept that animals are more important than people. God made us in His image, (Genesis 1:26) not anything else.
Last Sunday I had the privilege of fellowship with a group in Kittery, ME, whom God has abundantly blessed with children. When God gives a couple a large family, that really becomes their ministry. Our brother Rick showed by a number of examples that many of the miracles of Jesus were done in a very low key manner.
In Acts 17:11 the Word of God says, "Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so." Note that they are commended for doing this. If Paul the apostle receives scrutiny, then so should everyone that teaches, and especially those who are prominent or more influential in the Body. Those of us who do teach should welcome feedback from those who hear.

Whassup?

Thank you, joyful Father, for your patience and perseverance. God continues to provide for me in many ways. Itinerant ministry is built on the foundation of the hospitality of the Body. God has provided the little hobbit house in the woods that i always desired, with a godly, blessed family. This looks like a long term situation. Thank you, Jesus.
He has also led me to respond to brethren in Ghana that I've known for four years to initiate a micro-finance project there. May God continue to expand their ministry to the poor and preaching of the gospel of Jesus Christ in these West African countries.
God continues to put concerns on my heart for the preservation of the truth of the gospel, and for His Word to be ministered to His people. We cannot allow the subjective truth influence of the pagan American culture that we live in to dilute the pure truth of the Word of God. "Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth." (Jesus' praying in John 17:17)
Blessed to have fellowship with our brother Gary yesterday morning, our brother Bill in late afternoon, and our brother Josh in the evening. Gary and i discussed the situation in Japan as it related to God's mercy. Bill & I looked at daily obedience in contrast to grandiose ideas of working for God. Josh & I were all over the Scriptures as we explored the 1 Timothy 3:16 verse that speaks of the "mystery of godliness."
This morning met with three brothers from our ekklesia and prayed for clarity of direction and power for us. On the way back had a very helpful discussion about generational differences, and how they affect our understanding one another. Thanks, Josh and Rema for your hospitality, and that's whassup.

An Observation or Two.

It seems that some people depart from traditional churches to adhere more closely to Biblical teaching, and some people do so to get away from adhering to Biblical truth. The discovery of an intensely relational God who loves us with utter abandon cannot serve as a rationale to jettison other truth that God does have wrath, that we are commanded to fear Him, (see previous post), and that Jesus came as a propitiation for our sins. It is American culture that promotes the concept of anarchy (that we can do whatever we want), either moral or otherwise.
We should also not throw out the proverbial baby with the bathwater with regard to Bible teaching. Many of us have heard sermons that essentially said, this is the way it is and there is no other way it can be. With certain things that is true. Jesus is Lord, no matter what we may think. Simply because we have been burned in the past does not mean that we should ignore the Bible or refrain from teaching it. In a small group of people who have developed trust and relationship with one another over time, we can submit our Scriptural understanding in humility, offering it as a gift to the Body. But the foundational truths of the faith must be taught. It is incumbent upon each generation to preserve the truth of the gospel and transmit it to the next.
It also seems much easier to lose relationship with someone than to gain it.

The Fear of the Lord (?!)

About fifteen years ago I was talking with a solid, mature brother and he remarked that he just couldn't relate to the idea of fearing God. More recently a very prominent speaker said flatly in public (in my hearing) that the fear of God had no place in a Christian's life. Now we all make mistakes but this was said in a rather adamant way, not as an aside. We need to follow the example of the Bereans (Acts 17:11) and examine the Scriptures daily to see if things are true.
Psalm 19:9 says that the fear of the Lord is clean enduring forever. Deuteronomy 10:12 states, "And now, Israel, what does the Lord your God require of you, but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in all his ways, to love him, to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul." (ESV) And the conclusion of twelve chapters of lament in Ecclesiastes is to fear God and obey his commandments. (Ecc. 12:13)
Now some may say that this reflects the Old Covenant and that we are in the New. I wholeheartedly agree that we are in a New Covenant (Thank you, Jesus!) but I find references to fearing God in the NT as well. Matthew 10:28 has Jesus telling us to fear him who can destroy both body & soul in hell. (The devil has no power to do this) Great fear comes upon the church upon the deaths of Ananias and Sapphira (Acts 5:5,11) But perhaps this is an unhealthy fear. Acts 9:31 "So the church throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria had peace and was being built up. And walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, it multiplied." Being built up, peace and comfort are mentioned in the same verse as the fear of the Lord with a very positive result. 2 Corinthians 7:1 directs us, "Since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and spirit, bringing holiness to completion in the fear of God." Philippians 2:12 tells us "to work out your own salvation with fear and trembling." Finally Peter commands us to fear God. "Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor." (1 Peter 2:17 ESV) Many more references are available but I believe these make the point for those willing to submit themselves to the authority of the Word of God.
I trust that I have written a number of times on the love of God in this blog and that I will again in the future. However the truth that God is love should not be allowed to eliminate the fear which God commands of us towards Himself.

Picking up the Cross

Tuesday had the honor of gathering with a dozen other brothers who function as elders in their respective house churches. Very impressed by the strength of their desire to get together. Our brother John led a discussion based on the question of what vision God had given each man for the ekklesia in which he gathered. We concluded with a time of prayer. Everyone stayed after for at least a half hour and some for almost an hour. The dilemma rises in the seeming need for additional structure when more people come. Should we multiply into smaller groups? Or try to meet for a longer period of time?
Thursday evening met with the support and accountability group. Had the blessing of hospitality from our brother Russ and some solid counsel. "The pleasantness of one's friend springs from his earnest counsel." (Prov. 27:9) Friday morning got together with our brother Gary, who is growing into a man of the Word, a major turning point in his life. Later that same morning met with our brother Matt and worked out some glitches in our relationship. God be praised.
This morning met with the E. Cambridge brothers, updated one another, prayed, and worked through a question in the process towards deciding whether or not to acknowledge elders in our group. Tonight had the joy of fellowship with the Monson ekklesia. Interaction centered around abiding in God's love by doing His commandments. (John 15:10) and the theme of forgiveness. Thank you, Father, for forgiving us our sins.

Welcoming One Another

Romans 15:7 says, "Therefore, welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God." (ESV) This verse is one of at least fifty "one another" verses in which all believers are encouraged to participate. Not one to all of the others, but one to another. How has Christ welcomed us? "God showed His love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." (Rom 5:8) We have been given the privilege and joy of welcoming people into God's family. "Just so, I tell you, there is joy before the angels of God over one sinner who repents." (LK 15:10) We also have the blessing of welcoming our brethren into whatever part of the Body of Christ that we are in. Some people can integrate themselves into new situations easily, others cannot. Our responsibility is to help and welcome all. But the best part of all of this, for those who believe that glorifying God is His ultimate purpose for us, is that welcoming one another gives Him glory.
One practical application of this for the saints in the E. Cambridge ekklesia is the opportunity to invite people to experience what God is doing in our midst. We are blessed to have this experience on a regular basis. We usually have a contingent from a nearby Christian college, young saints who have never experienced NT church life. We also have those who are considering starting a house church, or people from more isolated groups. "To the only wise God be glory forevermore through Jesus Christ! Amen." (Romans 16:27)

Brotherhood in Christ

In previous posts I have written on our brotherhood in Christ, giving references from the Scripture ( Matthew 23:8, John 20:17, Romans 8:29, Hebrews 2:11-12 ESV.) Today I wish to explore the ramifications of that truth. If we are in fact brothers (or sisters- the underlying Greek word "adelphoi" means siblings)and this is eternal, then it comprises a major part of our identity, who God the Father says that we are in Christ. Jesus is the firstborn among many brothers and is not ashamed to call us such. We must allow this reality to change our thinking. We place much importance on things such as race, socio-economic status, ethnicity, clergy-laity, secondary or tertiary doctrinal viewpoints. All of these and many others must dissolve or take lesser importance if we are to fall in line with the prayer of Jesus in John 17 that we may be one even as He and the Father are one. (John 17:11,21) Colossians 3:11 supports this position. "Here there is not Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, free; but Christ is all, and in all." It is being the brother or sister of Christ Himself that is significant, something we received by adoption, not of any work or merit of our own. May we learn to see our brotherhood as the highest honor we can ever receive.

Legalism?

One of the most common charges that I hear hurled by Christians (?) is that of legalism. It is often said in response to someone else urging that the first person adhere to Scripture. Granted that there may be issues of interpretation involved, yet usually the epithet is used from a place of moral anarchy, as in "I can do whatever I want." Sadly it is often the only time that we use the term "brother" with one another. Legalism refers to law, and the primary law spoken of in the Bible is the Law of Moses. Those who believe that they are in a New Covenant are not under the Law of Moses. Yet we do believe that Jesus is Lord and we reflect that conviction by our obedience to Him.
As I've said in the past I see an increasing number of issues as falling within the purview of Romans 14, "Let everyone be fully persuaded in his own mind." We need not agree on every point. However there are a handful of core things that we must believe in order to be genuine followers of Christ. One of these is the gospel of Jesus, the same gospel that the apostles preached. We have no warrant to change this in any way. I urge my readers to study and insure that they are not preaching a different gospel. (Galatians 1:6-9)
Tuesday I spent at least five hours on the phone talking to five different people. May the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ continue to minister through the Holy Spirit in each of these situations. Wednesday I had the privilege of prayer and fellowship with our brothers John R, and Mark O. I thank God for their heart for Him, and their walking as Kingdom builders.

The Hard Way

I realize that certain themes recur in this blog; I trust that the Holy Spirit wants me to emphasize some things. One of these is the way in which we learn. I believe there are three primary ways- receiving revelation from God directly, through the Word or in prayer etc., observing or receiving from other people, and the hard way in which we learn through personal, usually painful, time consuming experience. It must be human nature that causes us to utilize the third method so often. One could say, well, as long as we do learn. I suppose.
Along these lines I have observed a wide spread phenomenon in the generation from 20-40. There is an inordinate sensitivity to something called "tone", i.e. the way in which things are said, the precise words used to convey things. (Ironically, this "tone" concept is usually something I have to explain to older people.) I find myself walking on eggshells in hope of not causing offense. Again, I don't find this among middle aged people. I would welcome comments on this phenomenon.
Saturday morning the brothers of the house church continued our exploration of eldership and decision making. Met with our brother Josh in the afternoon. God continues to mature and grow him. In a rare event our ekklesia met Saturday evening. Shared on consensus and the interaction between it and those called to be leaders. Some passages include Matt. 18:15-17, Acts 6:1-6, and Acts 15. Sunday had the privilege of fellowship in Whitinsville. Our brother Alex joined us. Free flowing discussion, exhortation and praise of our King.